Ballots for the Nov. 7 election were mailed to Billings voters last week. Now, they’ll have a chance to weigh in on the five competitive races for Billings City Council.
Challengers have stepped up to run against four incumbents and compete for one open position this year.
Incumbent City Councilman Roy Neese faces business owner Dustin Hanson for a four-year term representing the Heights north of Hilltop Road in Ward 2.
Billings City Council Ward 2 candidates Roy Neese, left, and Dustin Hanson attend a Billings Chamber of Commerce forum on Tuesday.
The Billings Gazette sent questionnaires to the two candidates. The requests included some basic biographical information about each candidate and five questions, each with a 100-word limit.
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Neese
Occupation: Business consultant with Clover Community Financial Institutions
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in financial services
Family: wife of 35 years, two grown children and three grandchildren
Public service, volunteer and political experience: Appointed to City Council in 2018 and elected in 2019, Billings Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore since 2020, Chairman of the Billings City Council Legislative Committee 2023, Heights Task Force past Chairman and member since 2009, volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, including a church camp, Yellowstone Alliance Adventures, Ducks Unlimited, Friends of the NRA, American Legion Baseball, Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame and others
Ways voters can contact you or learn more about your campaign:
Email: royneese.ward2@gmail.com
Facebook: Roy Neese for Billings City Council – Ward 2
What’s your elevator pitch to help voters understand why you want to serve on the city council, what prompted you to run now and what your top priorities will be if you’re re-elected?
My desire has been to help the city plan better, use taxpayer funds more effectively, improve public safety and protect current residents’ property rights. My priorities have not changed since being elected. I bring a conservative approach to city government and I have done this over the last five years. I chose to run again to maintain a conservative vote on city council. For example I brought the importance of Safe Routes to School to the forefront and it’s now part of policy decisions for infrastructure. I also worked with the council to lower the amount of the ask for the public safety mill levy.
Billings leaders have said curbing crime and violence is a top priority for the city. In your view, what should the council do to improve public safety?
Recent effort to increase public safety funding has resulted in some reduction in crime, yet not enough. The council should hold the city departments accountable for the public safety strategy that is laid out in the budget. These measures are intended to address several aspects of crime through prevention, treatment, diversion, improved response to family violence, adjudication and correction. This includes a municipal holding facility to process offenders more quickly. As the chairman of the Legislative Committee, I met with state legislators to address this issue and will continue to work with them to develop solutions to reduce crime in Billings.
Do you support the proposed $143 million bond measure that, if approved, would allow the city to build a $110 million recreation center on the South Side and invest in about a dozen other park and trail projects? Why or why not?
I have several concerns with this bond, including that it is $200 million, not $143 million. The recreation center uses 58% of the funds. The location is far from west Billings and Heights residents. My preference would be two bonds: one for the recreation center and one for regional parks. The ballot language does not specify the amount going to each park project. The council resolution allows for funds to be diverted from any project. In our current economic environment, this bond is too costly. People need to be aware that within 5 years additional taxes will be required for operation and maintenance costs.
How should the council go about planning for the city as it grows? And what can be done to help make Billings a more attractive, affordable place to live?
Proper zoning and city planning can help expedite development, but Billings is required to follow state guidelines regarding planning. Growth occurs when people choose to stay in the area after finishing school or relocate here for job and business opportunities. Businesses invest here when there is a favorable market environment. During this next council cycle, the city will be required to plan five years of zoning so businesses and developers can plan with predictability. It is important to me that the right mix of residential, commercial, parks, trails and open space is zoned while protecting uses for existing properties.
What’s a concern you have heard from people in your ward that you hope to address if you’re re-elected?
I have been contacted by several constituents regarding increased taxes, which are a heavy burden for many and public safety concerns. People want to feel safe where they live, work, and play. Ward 2 generally has lower crime rates, but people wish to feel safe when traveling throughout Billings. I will work to improve public safety while being mindful of limited resources available.
Occupation: Business owner and former software engineer
Education: Full Sail University
Family: Mother, Lorie Nelson
Public service, volunteer and political experience: Planned Parenthood, the Family Tree Center and Bikers Against Child Abuse
Ways voters can contact you or learn more about your campaign:
Website: Dustin4Billings.com
Email: Dustin@Dustin4Billings.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Dustin4Billings
Twitter: Twitter.com/Dustin4Billings
Instagram: Instagram.com/Dustin4Billings
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dustin-hanson315/
What’s your elevator pitch to help voters understand why you want to serve on the city council, what prompted you to run now and what your top priorities will be if you’re elected?
I feel like communication and representation of my generation is failing at the city of Billings. We need to modernize our PR efforts in the city so that all community members have the ability to understand what’s going on. We don’t get enough community feedback and this is a direct failure of our outreach efforts.
Billings leaders have said curbing crime and violence is a top priority for the city. In your view, what should the council do to improve public safety?
There isn’t a single answer. But a big idea of mine is to have “Billings Grow Up!” And I mean that literally. Higher population density in the way of taller buildings for mixed use, apartments, etc, in the downtown area greatly helps a number of issues, such as affordable housing, crime and the economy.
Do you support the proposed $143 million bond measure that, if approved, would allow the city to build a $110 million recreation center on the South Side and invest in about a dozen other park and trail projects? Why or why not?
Yes I do. I think this is a once a generation moment for Billings to jump forward in its needs. Not only will the recreation center bring more people to Billings, but help our local youth and adults stay active and do more in our community. Our parks have for years desperately needed a huge influx of improvements and not just small playground additions. For example, imagine local bands playing for 100 people at a small amphitheater in Castle Rock Park.
How should the council go about planning for the city as it grows? And what can be done to help make Billings a more attractive, affordable place to live?
A lot of what I mentioned already, such as fun, engaging communication from the city, showing how great Billings is and what it will continue to be for a long time. We are the most underrated city in Montana.
What’s a concern you have heard from people in your ward that you hope to address if you’re elected?
The same as everyone else, public safety, affordable housing and communication.
Boundaries for the five wards represented on the Billings City Council are shown on this city map.
